The videos I watched became popular in ancient times

Tang Dynasty.

That was a time when the status of men and women changed.

It was a time when women challenged men.

It was also a time when women were entering the historical arena of political power.

Shangguan Wan'er, a talented woman of her generation, shone in such a special era.

Shangguan Wan'er was originally just a slave girl, destined to be trapped in the cold palace.

But she had to act cautiously in the court full of scheming and bloodshed.

She eventually climbed to the pinnacle of power and became the first female prime minister in the history of the Tang Dynasty.

Looking back on Shangguan Wan'er's life, it can be said that it was a life of great ups and downs, with glory and sorrow coexisting.

Although she came from a prominent family, she had also experienced the fickleness of the world and suffered many setbacks in life.

She is extremely talented and dares to break the shackles of tradition.

With his extraordinary wisdom, he became the leader of the poetry world and held great power.

However, they are too eager for quick success and instant benefits and have a desire for fame and fortune.

Ultimately, his plan failed and he ruined his future and life.

Beauty is short-lived, but her name will be recorded in history.

Shangguan Wan'er is undoubtedly one of the most legendary women in the Tang Dynasty, and deserves endless regrets from future generations.

We do not judge Shangguan Wan'er's life as right or wrong.

But as for Shangguan Wan'er, we can't help but sigh that she is the one who obeys her husband rather than her husband.

God has given her such talent, so she must show her wisdom and talent.

To prove that in a society where men are superior to women, women can still live a wonderful life!
"Shangguan Wan'er claimed to be a descendant of Shangguan Jie, Shangguan An, and Shangguan Qi from the Western Han Dynasty."

"My great-grandfather Shangguan Xian was the governor of Youzhou in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, my great-great-grandfather Shangguan Hong was the deputy supervisor of the Jiangdu Palace in the Sui Dynasty, and my grandfather Shangguan Yi was the prime minister during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty."

"In 664, my grandfather Shangguan Yi was killed by Wu Zetian along with Shangguan Tingzhi because he drafted an edict for Emperor Gaozong to depose Wu Zetian. The newly born Shangguan Wan'er was banished to the imperial palace along with her mother Zheng."

"While serving as a slave in the imperial court, Shangguan Wan'er was well-versed in poetry and literature under the careful training of her mother."

"He is not only good at writing poetry, but also has a good understanding of government affairs and is extremely intelligent."

"In 677, Wu Zetian summoned Shangguan Wan'er, who was only years old, and gave her a test on the spot."

"Shangguan Wan'er's writing is not embellished, but her words are gorgeous and her language is beautiful, as if it were created naturally."

"After seeing this, Wu Zetian was delighted and immediately ordered her to be released from her slave status and be in charge of the imperial edicts in the palace."

"Later, Wu Zetian became emperor, and many of the imperial edicts were written by her."

"Soon after, Shangguan Wan'er was sentenced to death for disobeying the imperial order."

"But Wu Zetian spared his life out of pity for his literary talent, and only sentenced him to tattooing his face."

"After that, Shangguan Wan'er served Wu Zetian attentively and tried to please her, which made Wu Zetian even more pleased."

"Starting in 696, Wu Zetian asked Shangguan Wan'er to handle memorials from various ministries and participate in government decisions."

"Power grows day by day, military strategy, and the power to kill and take lives mostly depend on Shangguan Wan'er."

"In the first year of the Shenlong reign, Zhang Jianzhi and other ministers who supported the Li Tang royal family launched the Shenlong coup, and Wu Zetian was forced to abdicate."

"After the Shenlong coup, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang was restored to the throne and ordered Shangguan Wan'er to be in charge of drafting imperial edicts."

"Shangguan Wan'er was trusted deeply and was appointed as Zhaorong, and her mother Zheng was named Lady of Pei."

"Shangguan Wan'er also had frequent exchanges with Empress Wei and Princess Anle, and repeatedly persuaded Empress Wei to follow the example of Wu Zetian."

"So Empress Wei submitted a petition requesting that all common people in the country mourn for three years for their mothers who were divorced by their fathers."

"I also request that the people of the country be considered adults at the age of 23, and be exempted from labor service at the age of 59."

"Li Xian has approved the change of the system to win the hearts and minds of the people."

Liu Rushi: Although Shangguan Wan'er was a talented woman of her generation, it is a pity that she remained unmarried throughout her life.

There are many reasons why Shangguan Wan'er never married.

First, Shangguan Wan'er has no one she looks down upon.

Shangguan Wan'er had both extremely high political and literary talents.

There were no such women in the Tang Dynasty.

Among young people, it can be said that there are very few that Shangguan Wan'er looks up to.

If he was an accomplished old man, he would usually have three wives and four concubines. Shangguan Wan'er would never be willing to be his concubine.

Second, Shangguan Wan'er was unwilling to get married.

Shangguan Wan'er was a politician, and judging from her actions throughout her life, politics was something she loved very much.

Since he was a politician, he could only play a political role in the palace and by Wu Zetian's side.

If she gets married, she can only take care of her husband and children.

Although Wu Zetian became a female emperor, she did not allow all women in the world to enter official careers.

Therefore, Shangguan Wan'er would never get married.

Shangguan Wan'er was named a talented person by Wu Zetian, and later was named Zhaorong by Li Xian, which was equivalent to a female official position.

It is also possible that the title was specially set for Shangguan Wan'er by borrowing the title of a concubine.

It should not be the performance of marrying Emperor Gaozong of Tang or marrying Li Xian.

Besides, with Wu Zetian's personality, she would not let the talented Shangguan Wan'er share her husband with her.

Li Xian's queen, Empress Wei, was also a person with a strong desire for political power, so she naturally would not agree to Li Xian marrying Shangguan Wan'er.

Third, Wu Zetian did not want to marry Shangguan Wan'er.

Because Shangguan Wan'er was very capable and very flattering to Wu Zetian.

Wu Zetian liked her very much and often asked her to help with government affairs, making her as good as a prime minister.

If we consider Shangguan Wan'er's marriage, there are only two possibilities.

One is to marry Shangguan Wan'er off, and the other is to let Shangguan Wan'er marry the emperor.

Wu Zetian didn't want to see either of these two situations, so she didn't mention letting Shangguan Wan'er get married.

"Shangguan Wan'er recommended Wu Sansi to Empress Wei and brought Wu Sansi into the palace."

"Li Xian then began to discuss political affairs with Wu Sansi, and Zhang Jianzhi and others were suppressed by Wu Sansi from then on."

"Soon, Wu Sansi relied on the support of Empress Wei, Princess Anle and others."

"They successively plotted to demote and kill Zhang Jianzhi and five other kings, and their power was overwhelming and insolent."

"Shangguan Wan'er also had an affair with him, and in the imperial edicts she drafted, she often praised the Wu family and suppressed the royal family, which made Crown Prince Li Chongjun very angry."

"In July 707, Li Chongjun and Li Duozuo, the General of the Left Imperial Guards, and others."

"He forged an imperial edict and dispatched more than 300 Yulin soldiers to kill Wu Sansi and execute more than ten of his cronies."

"He led his troops to break through the gate of Suzhang Gate and knocked on the door of the pavilion to search for Shangguan Wan'er."

"Shangguan Wan'er hurriedly fled to Emperor Zhongzong and Empress Wei, and threatened that the crown prince was rebelling."

"Li Xian and Empress Wei were furious, so they took Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Anle to the Xuanwu Gate to avoid the enemy."

"I ordered General Liu Jingren of the Right Imperial Guard to lead more than 2,000 cavalrymen to defend the city behind closed doors. Li Chongjun was defeated and killed."

"But the records show that Shangguan Wan'er advised Emperor Zhongzong four times against making Princess Anle the crown princess."

"From reporting and exposing the truth, to resigning from office, to becoming a nun."

"Neither of them received Tang Zhongzong's approval, and they eventually died as a result of their remonstrance."

"After drinking the poison, the imperial physician gave him emergency treatment and saved his life."

"Shangguan Wan'er was deeply trusted by Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Li Xian, and Empress Wei, and was in charge of domestic affairs."

"My grandfather's case was also vindicated. Shangguan Yi was posthumously awarded the title of Zhongshu Ling, and Shangguan Tingzhi was posthumously awarded the title of Huangmen Shilang."

"After that, Shangguan Wan'er often persuaded Li Xian to set up a large number of scholars in the Zhaowen Academy and to recruit officials who were good at poetry studies."

"He gave many banquets and entertainments, and wrote poems and sang songs."

"Each time, he wrote several poems on behalf of Li Xian, Empress Wei and Princess Anle at the same time. The poems were beautiful and most of them were recited and sung by people in the world."

"Li Xian also asked her to evaluate the poems written by ministers."

"Those who rank first are often rewarded with a golden cup, which is extremely valuable."

"Therefore, reciting poems and writing fu became a popular trend inside and outside the court."

"Shangguan Wan'er loved collecting books. She once collected more than 10,000 volumes of books, all of which were scented with incense."

"A hundred years later, her books are still circulated among the people, and they are still fragrant and free of insects." Chen Yuanyuan: Shangguan Wan'er's romanticism is so great that even Wu Zetian has to stand aside. She not only conquered men but also women.

Shangguan Wan'er was a woman of extraordinary talent who could not only conquer men but also women.

She was originally a prisoner, but with her talent, she became a female prime minister above everyone else.

However, after Shangguan Wan'er came to power, her private life became extremely romantic.

The teenage Shangguan Wan'er became Wu Zetian's confidant, and Wu Zetian even did not avoid her when she was having fun with her male favorite Zhang Changzong.

Shangguan Wan'er was just beginning to fall in love, and Zhang Changzong was handsome and charming.

How could the teenage Shangguan Wan'er control herself, so the two of them soon became passionate.

Once, Shangguan Wan'er and Zhang Changzong were exchanging glances and were discovered by Wu Zetian.

Wu Zetian was furious and wanted to execute Shangguan Wan'er.

But in the end, he still felt pity for her talent and only ordered her to be sentenced to ink punishment, with words carved on her face.

From then on, Shangguan Wan'er's beautiful face had a flaw.

However, in order to cover up the ugly scar, the clever Shangguan Wan'er painted a red plum flower on the scar.

After this incident, Shangguan Wan'er knew that in the palace, power was her only protection.

In order to survive in the cruel harem, Shangguan Wan'er began to have an affair with Wu Zetian's nephew Wu Sansi, but undercurrents were surging in the court.

When Wu Zetian was in danger and calls for Li Tang to be restored to the throne grew louder, Shangguan Wan'er secretly had an affair with the former crown prince Li Xian.

However, she had already exchanged glances with Li Xian when she was sixteen years old, but their relationship was not official.

Soon after, the ministers launched the Shenlong coup and Wu Zetian was forced to abdicate.

Li Xian became emperor again, and Shangguan Wan'er changed her mind early and joined Empress Wei and Li Xian.

Not only was she not implicated by Wu Zetian, she was also ordered to be in charge of drafting imperial edicts and was given the title of Zhaorong.

Because Empress Wei was very ambitious, she also wanted to become the next Wu Zetian.

However, she lacked political energy and needed the assistance of the experienced Shangguan Wan'er.

In this way, Zhongzong and his wife both doted on Shangguan Wan'er, and Shangguan Wan'er was even more proud at this time.

Shangguan Wan'er also evaluated poetry and prose, selected talents, and vigorously promoted a refined and elegant literary style.

For a time, Shangguan style was popular, and Shangguan Wan'er became the leader of Zhongzong's literary world.

He even got the emperor's permission to work in the palace during the day and hold poetry gatherings outside the palace at night.

During this period, Shangguan Wan'er met a young and talented man named Cui Shi.

Therefore, with Shangguan Wan'er's strong support, he became prime minister soon after.

Even when Cui Shi was demoted for taking bribes, Shangguan Wan'er did her best to help him get his job back.

Later, when Cui Shi reached middle age and was no longer able to handle the affairs, he asked his three young and handsome brothers to serve Shangguan Wan'er together.

From then on, no matter where Shangguan Wan'er went, the four brothers of the Cui family would always be by her side.

In order to gain a foothold in the new force, Shangguan Wan'er recommended Wu Sansi to Empress Wei.

Relying on the support of Empress Wei, Princess Anle and others, Wu Sansi designed to demote and kill the five kings headed by Zhang Jianzhi.

Soon, Crown Prince Li Chongjun sent troops to kill Wu Sansi and other members of his party, and wanted to capture Shangguan Wan'er as well.

As a last resort, Shangguan Wan'er ran to Empress Wei's palace and lied that Li Chongjun was going to rebel, thus gaining the trust of the two men.

Afterwards, Shangguan Wan'er designed a plan to persuade the rebels to surrender.

When Crown Prince Li Chongjun was killed, Shangguan Wan'er relied on her intelligence and talent to stand at the top again.

However, the dynasty declined after its peak. Li Longji launched a coup and took the opportunity to execute Shangguan Wan'er.

Such a brilliant and talented woman died just like that.

"After her mother Zheng died, she was posthumously named Lady Jieyi. Shangguan Wan'er submitted a petition to downgrade her rank to Jieyu as a sign of mourning, but it was restored shortly afterwards."

"Li Xian sent people to build a garden at Shangguan Wan'er's residence, and often invited ministers to feast there."

"At that time, the palace was under strict restrictions, allowing palace officials to enter and leave as they pleased."

"Shangguan Wan'er then bought and built houses outside the palace with some palace officials and frequently interacted with them. Some of them were able to obtain high-ranking official positions because of this."

"The Minister of the Central Secretariat Cui Shi was appointed as the Prime Minister because he had an affair with Shangguan Wan'er in his outer residence."

"Soon after, Cui Shi again made many mistakes while presiding over affairs."

"He was impeached by the censor Li Shangyin and demoted to Sima of an outer state for his crimes."

"And because Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Anle petitioned for him, he was reinstated."

"In 710, Princess Taiping's power grew, and Shangguan Wan'er attached herself to Princess Taiping."

"On the second day of June, Li Xian suddenly passed away."

"Empress Wei assigned all the military power and the central imperial guards to her own followers and clansmen, and the power of government fell into the hands of the Wei family."

"Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Taiping drafted a will, appointing Li Chongmao as the crown prince."

"Li Dan assists in governing the country, and Empress Wei serves as regent for the Empress Dowager to balance the forces of all parties."

"However, the prime ministers Zong Chuke and Wei Wen changed the edict and advised Empress Wei to follow the example of Wu Zetian."

"After receiving the news, Li Longji discussed with Princess Taiping and decided to strike first."

"In the first year of Tanglong, Li Longji launched the Tanglong Rebellion."

"Use the imperial guards and soldiers to attack the palace and kill Empress Wei, Princess Anle, and all of Empress Wei's followers."

"When Li Longji led his army into the palace, Shangguan Wan'er held candles and led the palace ladies to greet them."

"She also showed Liu Youqiu the will she and Princess Taiping had drafted to prove that she stood with the Li Tang royal family."

"Liu Youqiu took the will and begged Li Longji for mercy, but Li Longji refused and beheaded Shangguan Wan'er under his flag."

"Princess Taiping was very sad, and sent people to offer condolences and donated 500 pieces of silk."

Zhu Di: From a heroic female prime minister to a dead woman, Shangguan Wan'er's most fortunate and unfortunate life.

After Zhongzong Li Xian died, Xuanzong Li Longji launched a coup and executed Empress Wei, Shangguan Wan'er and others.

Although Shangguan Wan'er surrendered to Li Longji, Li Longji still insisted on executing Shangguan Wan'er.

During the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, the Tang Dynasty's politics was relatively chaotic, and people of all kinds wanted to participate in politics.

For example, Empress Wei, Princess Anle, and Princess Taiping all wanted to be the second Wu Zetian.

Shangguan Wan'er also participated strongly in it, constantly forming cliques and factions with others to form political groups.

But her foundation is relatively shallow, like grass on the wall, which will fall to the sides when the wind blows.

She will follow whoever has more power.

The sad thing is that man proposes, God disposes.

Before she had completely joined the Li family, the Tanglong coup took place.

Even though Shangguan Wan'er held a candle and the imperial edict to show her loyalty.

But Li Longji knew that Shangguan Wan'er was fickle and he didn't know who she would form cliques with in the future, so it would be better to execute her immediately to prevent future troubles.

After Shangguan Wan'er's death, her tomb was built by Emperor Ruizong and she was buried with proper ceremony.

In fact, Shangguan Wan'er's tomb was built entirely by Princess Taiping, but there was a political motive behind it.

The Li clan members hated Shangguan Wan'er, but Princess Taiping could not publicly criticize Li Longji's behavior.

Although Princess Taiping agreed with her nephew Li Longji's coup, it was because they had common interests.

Although she was dissatisfied with Li Longji's killing of Shangguan Wan'er, she could do nothing about it.

He could only rely on his brother, Emperor Ruizong, to clear Shangguan Wan'er's name and approve her funeral.

This clearly indicates the lineage of Princess Taiping, and the political power left by Shangguan Wan'er was also taken over by Princess Taiping.

Afterwards, Princess Taiping was sentenced to death by Li Longji for treason.

Li Longji ordered the destruction of the tomb of his son-in-law Wu Youji, leaving Princess Taiping without a burial place.

This shows how brutal the politics of the Tang Dynasty was.

Princess Taiping showed her goodwill to Shangguan Wan'er, who died at the hands of Li Longji, and personally arranged for her burial.

After Princess Taiping's downfall, new grudges and old hatreds were added to make Shangguan Wan'er a member of Princess Taiping's party.

Naturally, her tomb was not spared and was also destroyed, with her body completely lost.

Building tombs and destroying tombs became a life-and-death struggle between the two forces.

Shangguan Wan'er's life was swirling in the vortex of politics during her lifetime, and even after her death she could not escape it. (End of this chapter)